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California father pleads guilty to $250K bribe to get son into USC

By Danielle Haynes

July 24 (UPI) -- A California man pleaded guilty Wednesday to paying a $250,000 bribe to get his son accepted to the University of Southern California as a fake member of the school's volleyball team.

Jeffrey Bizzack, 59, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. He said he paid $50,000 to the school and $200,000 to Rick Singer, the mastermind behind a bribery scheme investigators dubbed "Varsity Blues."

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Prosecutors charged more than 50 people in the scandal, including Singer, dozens of wealthy parents and two Hollywood actor -- all of whom, they said, bribed exam administrators and school officials to get their children into prestigious universities.

Bizzack, the co-founder of clothing retailer Outerknown, said his son wasn't aware of the bribery. Bizzack is a former business partner of surfing champion Kelly Slater.

His charges carry a maximum 20-year prison sentence, though prosecutors recommended a nine-month sentence and a $75,000 fine. He's scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 30.

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